Sure, the 5D is 3500 bucks off the shelf, and my entire HV30 kit with wide angle lens adapter, boom mic, camera bag, and a sweet lens cleaning pen topped out at 1200 bucks. But holy hell, look what an additional 2400 bucks can get you!

So what’s the point of even looking at the Canon XH-A1 or the Sony Z1U at a very similair 3,xxx dollar price point? None. Or maybe you’re required by DCI to jump through flaming hoops of razor wire to deliver tapeless footage (my sympathies). Or then maybe you like recording video AND sound. I’ve yet to see, err hear, any audio examples at all from the 5dmarkii.

I was researching 35mm adapters heavily for awhile, products from Letus, Cinevate, and RedRock Micro were my top three contenders. But, with the release of the Canon 5D Mark II at a $2600 price point for just the body, I’d really recommend getting something like that and then adding your own lens rather than putting a 35mm adapter on the front of your HV30.

The main reason I got the HV30 and not the XH-A1 is because I wanted to be super light and indiscreet. Fitting a Letus or Cinevate 35mm adapter on the front immediately created a wonkiness to my run and gun style I didn’t feel comfortable with. On the flip side of course you may not share that view and the footage people are getting from HV30’s and a 35mm adapter, when used correctly, is pretty stunning.